April 26, 2018 1:07pm EDTApril 26, 2018 9:34am EDTNOPOPUPThe Broncos enter the 2018 NFL Draft with multiple needs to address with their seven picks. SN breaks down how the draft might play out for Denver.

What do the Broncos need most in the 2018 NFL Draft? It's a complicated question that will be difficult for John Elway to answer.

Elway is about to add his eighth set of draft picks as Denver's general manager. He has gone five years without selecting a Pro Bowler. Since 2013, of 38 total players taken, he's gotten only 20 combined seasons from starters.

Although Super Bowl 50 isn't far in the rearview mirror, the pressure and reputation that comes with Elway's big name — he's the best player in franchise history — make this a critical draft for his legacy in the front office. The good news is Elway seems open to every scenario that would help make the team better at several positions, including an immediate trade back from No. 5 overall.

The Broncos have an average quantity of seven picks in 2018, but there's solid quality with all of the selections coming within the first five rounds. Denver can't go wrong if it's able to find the right level of talent for each selection, given the offense and defense both need key help for it become a contender again.

Here's a deep dive into what the Broncos might be thinking for Thursday night and beyond.

Broncos' 2018 NFL Draft picks

Round 1, No. 5

Round 2, No. 40

Round 3, No. 71

Round 3, No. 99 (compensatory)

Round 4, No. 106

Round 4, No. 113 (from Redskins)

Round 5, No. 149 (from Redskins)

Round 5, No. 160 (from Rams)

Broncos' 2018 draft needs

Cornerback: The Broncos were able to deal Aqib Talib to the Rams instead of cutting him in NFL free agency. While Bradley Roby and Chris Harris Jr. are a good top duo, Denver needs to upgrade its coverage quiver for the outside.

Defensive line: The ends in their three-man front are major question marks, with Derek Wolfe unable to stay healthy and Adam Gotsis dealing with serious off-field issues. They need a beefy lunchpail type to help set the edge.

Running back: They released C.J. Anderson, who led the team with 1,007 yards rushing in 2017. That leaves the Broncos, for now, with a committee of 2016 fourth-rounder Devontae Booker and 2017 sixth-rounder DeAngele Handerson. They've been high on both players at times, but it's clear they will add one more option, anywhere from a complementary one to a potential feature back.

Offensive line: With last year's first-rounder Garret Bolles and former Cardinal Jared Veldheer now at the tackles, they need to prioritize adding interior run-blocking pop around stud center Matt Paradis. A high-upside tackle of Bolles' ilk also will be in play given Vedheer turns 31 in June.

Quarterrback: Keenum got a two-year deal, but after trading Trevor Siemian and getting to the brink with the development of Paxton Lynch, the Broncos need to consider their near-future plan behind the 30-year-old former Viking.

Wide receiver: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both were retained as veteran starters, but the team gave up on Cody Latimer, who signed as a flyer with the Giants. Ideally, the Broncos will get a target with a good blend of size and speed to put as a No. 2 outside so Sanders can upgrade the slot.

Edge rusher: Although the Broncos will pick up the option of Shane Ray to keep him with the team through next season, he's had disappointing production and limited progress as a force opposite Von Miller. Denver was only No. 22 in the NFL with its 33 sacks last season.

Tight end: Virgil Green left for the division-rival Chargers, leaving Jeff Heuermann and Jake Butt — each with Big Ten talent but equal injury concern — as the top two on the depth chart. They need to think about getting a well-rounded Kyle Rudolph-type for Keenum.

First-round plan

No. 5: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State or Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Should the Broncos stay put and not trade down, they need to take the best player available who can help them now. Moving on from both Anderson and Talib leaves the biggest void for immediate impact at their positions.

Should the Giants, Jets and Browns pass on Barkley, he's a no-brainer for the Broncos. At worst, Ward is all but guaranteed to not be picked in the top four. Elway might not want to sit still, but it could work out well.

Second-guessing that plan

The Broncos still could jump into the quarterback pool. If they do, it should be the guy with the biggest upside and is most Elway-like in makeup: Baker Mayfield. The Oklahoma product's arm, moxie and athleticism would be more coveted if he had the prototypical size. But consider Mayfield was measured at 6-2, 215 pounds; only one inch shorter than Elway in his playing days.

Mayfield makes more sense than anyone else that will be available at QB, including Wyoming's Josh Allen and UCLA's Josh Rosen, because he checks more of the Broncos' desired boxes.

There are two other non-quarterbacks the Broncos should consider along the same lines of Barkley and Ward: N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb and Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. Chubb, however, is looking less likely to slip to them at No. 5. Nelson is set to be available more because of the position he plays than the fact that he's an elite, top five-worthy talent. Chubb and Von Miller would be quite an edge-rushing duo. Nelson is the smooth inside blocker they should want to put between Bolles and Paradis.

Don't act surprised if ...

The Broncos don't take a quarterback in any round. Even though it might not be the case, the Broncos, because of what's left on their defense, will think they can vie for a playoff spot in the AFC West with a few quick fixes to their offense. So their pursuit of a young franchise passer could be put on hold as they wait to see whether either Lynch or Chad Kelly will pan out.

Elway, for the first time since the arrival of Peyton Manning, has a definite answer at QB. Not forcing a passer in the draft also would allow for the flexibility required to replenish other positions.

Day 2 draft plan

The Broncos have three picks from No. 40 to No. 99. That's the sweet spot of getting value in this draft without reaching.

If they can't or don't get Barkley early, Georgia's downhill-styled Nick Chubb should be the top running back target. This also is a good range to dive into a wideout or tight end. Clemson's Deon Cain and LSU's D.J. Chark would be good, big bodies to go after at the former position, with Penn State's Mike Gesicki and Oklahoma's Mark Andrews standing out at the latter position.

It's also likely Denver will address its offensive line here. Although guard will be in play, the good tackle values in the second and third rounds include Western Michigan's Chukwuma Okorafor and Oregon's Tyrell Crosby. All this sets up a defensive-heavy final day.

Day 3 draft sleeper

Kylie Fitts, OLB, Utah: The Broncos can continue the Ute movement they had with Bolles to get a pass rusher to match that pass protector. Fitts would be a good complement to Miller with his versatility, speed, quickness and ranginess. He is good at pursuing QBs, both inside and outside the pocket. Fitts is not the best power defender, but he could help as a situational sack artist at first before getting a little stronger in the NFL.The agility and athleticism stand out for a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

Broncos 2018 draft: Final thoughts

Elway needs to come through with a home-run class with starting-caliber talent over several rounds, not just the first. There's transition in the division with the Chiefs breaking in a new QB, the Raiders bringing back Jon Gruden and the Chargers surging. The Broncos need to accept the fact that they need to be more of a rebuilder than a reloader, keeping it in mind through all five rounds.